The military problems of the 3d century doubtlessly caused a massive increase in Roman military spending which led to the impoverishment of the empire and its subsequent decline....sounds much like the US today, doesn't it. The numbers you mention are certainly plausible then.
However, during the Pax Romana in which much of the xtian bullshit story occurs, the Roman military establishment was much smaller. After the Civil War ended after Actium, Augustus reduced the army from somewhere over 50 to around 28 legions. The flash points for problems were in the East, Germania and Spain. The Syrian army comprised 4 legions but there were reinforcements available on short notice from Asia Minor and Egypt if needed. IIRC, when Augustus died there were 25 legions ( 3 had been lost with Quinctillius Varus in Germany.). At this time there were roughly 5,000 men per legion which meant a total force of heavy infantry of 125,000 men, but scattered all over the empire. In addition though, Augustus had an auxillary force ( archers, slingers, cavalry, skirmishers, etc. ) to complement the legions and they were equivalent in numbers. The Roman navy was a minimal force at this time as it had no real enemy.
So 125,000 heavy infantry, 125,000 light troops and cavalry and maybe 10,000 in the Navy gives a total of 260,000 for the whole empire.
Now of course your point is that the numbers which are recorded in the bible are flat-out fucking absurd and would only be accepted by idiot jesus freaks who have long since abandoned any pretense of rational thought for fables. Does that pretty much cover it?
However, during the Pax Romana in which much of the xtian bullshit story occurs, the Roman military establishment was much smaller. After the Civil War ended after Actium, Augustus reduced the army from somewhere over 50 to around 28 legions. The flash points for problems were in the East, Germania and Spain. The Syrian army comprised 4 legions but there were reinforcements available on short notice from Asia Minor and Egypt if needed. IIRC, when Augustus died there were 25 legions ( 3 had been lost with Quinctillius Varus in Germany.). At this time there were roughly 5,000 men per legion which meant a total force of heavy infantry of 125,000 men, but scattered all over the empire. In addition though, Augustus had an auxillary force ( archers, slingers, cavalry, skirmishers, etc. ) to complement the legions and they were equivalent in numbers. The Roman navy was a minimal force at this time as it had no real enemy.
So 125,000 heavy infantry, 125,000 light troops and cavalry and maybe 10,000 in the Navy gives a total of 260,000 for the whole empire.
Now of course your point is that the numbers which are recorded in the bible are flat-out fucking absurd and would only be accepted by idiot jesus freaks who have long since abandoned any pretense of rational thought for fables. Does that pretty much cover it?
